WASHINGTON – A dozen Russian intelligence officers have been charged with conspiring to hack Democrats during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to a new indictment in the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller. The 12 were members of Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU, and are accused of engaging in a sustained effort […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Congressional race called a toss-up in Maine's 2nd District
Things just got tougher for U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s bid for a third term in Maine’s hardscrabble 2nd District. The Cook Political Report, a respected guide to races across the nation, switched the Republican incumbent’s bid from leaning Poliquin’s way to being a toss-up. Democrat Jared Golden, a 35-year-old U.S. Marine veteran from Lewiston, moved […]
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Posted inNation / World
Justice Department to launch ‘enforcement surge’ to fight opioids in Maine
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is launching a program that seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in areas with high overdose rates – including Maine – by cracking down on suppliers. Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, or S.O.S., will involve an “enforcement surge” in 10 U.S. districts that have among the highest drug overdose […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage finally authorizes voter-approved bonds to fund a variety of projects
After weeks of stalling, Gov. Paul LePage has finally authorized the sale of $117 million of voter-approved bonds meant to pay for a variety of projects, including $80 million for highway projects currently underway. LePage previously had stalled the sale of bonds in a dispute with the Legislature over state borrowing and a package of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage says he’d go to jail before he expands Medicaid
WESTBROOK — The political debate over Medicaid expansion in Maine continued Thursday with Attorney General Janet Mills and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee slamming Gov. Paul LePage for continuing to block expansion despite voter approval. LePage, meanwhile, vowed this week that he’d risk jail time before putting Maine in “red ink” amid his ongoing battle with lawmakers over […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Attorney General Jeff Sessions to visit Portland on Friday to discuss opioid crisis
Attorney General Jeff Sessions will visit Portland Friday to discuss the opioid epidemic with local law enforcement, according to two law enforcement sources. The event will be held at the Portland office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, where Sessions is expected to give remarks and discuss the national drug epidemic that continues […]
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Susan Collins to ‘carefully’ scrutinize Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she’s going to conduct a “careful, thorough vetting” of President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. Trump announced Monday night that he’s selected Brett Kavanaugh, a solidly conservative judge, to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Collins statement read: “Judge Kavanaugh has impressive credentials and extensive experience, having […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers endorse sweeping medical marijuana reforms in veto override
Maine lawmakers overturned Gov. Paul LePage’s veto to pass a sweeping medical marijuana reform bill Monday. The Maine House voted 119-23 and the Maine Senate voted 25-8 to override the Republican governor’s veto and adopt legislation that will allow patients to use marijuana if a doctor deems it medically beneficial, grant six new medical dispensary […]
Posted inNation / World
Trump’s Supreme Court pick has sided with broad views of presidential powers
WASHINGTON — Brett Kavanaugh, the federal judge nominated by President Donald Trump on Monday to the Supreme Court, has endorsed robust views of the powers of the president, consistently siding with arguments in favor of broad executive authority during his 12 years on the bench in Washington. He has called for restructuring the government’s consumer […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers save lead paint program, school clinic funding, but not hearing aids
AUGUSTA — By a lopsided margin, legislators agreed Monday to override a veto that threatened to derail a new lead abatement initiative that proponents said will pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into efforts in Lewiston and Auburn to remove dangerous lead paint in old houses. The $4 million proposal is part of a $41.6 […]